Herzog praises Jewish teachers as ‘generals on the front line’ after Bondi attack

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog praised Jewish educators as “generals on the front line” protecting and strengthening the Jewish nation during a reception with 50 Jewish studies teachers from 12 countries in Jerusalem late last month.

Yehudis Kluwgant, an elementary school teacher from Beth Rivka College in Melbourne, spoke on behalf of the educators about the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Kluwgant said the Jewish community felt abandoned and betrayed by the Australian government, but supported by Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs following minister Amihai Chikli’s visit to Sydney.

“The Ministry is the bridge that spans the oceans that divide us. Your visit showed that we are all one single unit,” Kluwgant said.

She thanked Chikli for funding the “Rimonim” program and investing in teachers around the world, reminding them that Am Yisrael is one family.

Herzog responded that the entire Jewish nation was pained by the attack. He mentioned his conversation with prime minister Anthony Albanese and announced his plans to visit Sydney.

“As educators, you are generals on the front line, protecting and strengthening the Jewish nation. At a time of rising hatred and violence against Jews worldwide, Jewish education is our lifeline, strengthening identity, pride, and our eternal bond to the land of Israel,” Herzog said.

“Teaching Torah, Tanakh and Hebrew in schools around the Jewish world is essential to the future of the Jewish people.”

The teachers met with Herzog at Beit Ha’Am in Jerusalem to launch their three-week study seminar in Israel. They included teachers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Poland, Germany, England, Switzerland, France, South Africa and Australia participating in online education programs organised by Herzog College.

Chikli described strengthening Jewish education as the most important mission of his Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism.

“One of the dangers of antisemitism is that it will influence Jews to become less Jewish, to lose their identity and weaken their connection to the Jewish people,” Chikli said.

“Our partnership with Herzog College brings a deep understanding of pedagogy and Torah values, using it to uplift Jewish teachers and enhance their education of the next generation.”

Rabbi Dr Yehuda Brandes, president of Herzog College, said teaching Tanakh and Jewish history in Jewish schools around the world was the strongest long-term response to those who plot evil against Jews.

The “Rimonim” program has trained five groups of teachers from Latin America and three cohorts from English-speaking countries. It is run by Herzog College in collaboration with the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Education and UnitED.

The Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14 killed 15 people during a Chanukah celebration.